Ceres Fire Engineer Joseph Spani is being promoted to the rank of Fire Captain effective April 13. Captain Spani was selected from a group of excellent internal candidates for the position and will now play a significant role in leading the day-to-day activities and services of the Ceres Fire Division.
"I expect he will have no problem working cooperatively with his fellow public safety professionals to ensure a bright future for the organization as we continue to provide the highest levels of service possible to our community," said Public Safety Director Art deWerk, who oversees both police and fire divisions. "The fire service, as a profession, is facing ongoing changes and challenges that I am confident Joe Spani is up for."
Spani began his career with Ceres as an intern firefighter on Dec. 2, 2007. He became a full-time firefighter on July 27, 2008, was recognized in 2011 as Firefighter of the Year and has since served as a Fire Engineer. His service to the community while off-duty has not gone unnoticed, as he has led his fellow firefighters in the Fill the Boot fund raising efforts benefiting the Muscular Dystrophy Association since 2009.
"I am proud of Captain Joseph Spani and the other fire captain candidates who, once again, have demonstrated outstanding professionalism and embodied the excellence of the Ceres Fire Division."
Spani said that being promoted to captain is "an amazing honor.
"I'm excited to continue to serve the citizens of Ceres in my new role in the fire department. I would like to thank the city and fire department for giving me this opportunity and my wife, Sabrina, for her continued support and love."